Shelter frame



Jan. 30, 1962 T. R. FINLAYSON 3,018,858

SHELTER FRAME Filed Aug. 26, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 30, 1962 'r. R. FINLAYSON 3,018,858

SHELTER FRAME Filed Aug. 26, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 JNVEN TOR.

fiwmas fifi' son United States Patent 3,018,858 SHELTER FRAME Thomas R. Finlayson, Milwaukee, Wis., assignor to Gleason Reel Corp., Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Filed Aug. 26, 1959, Ser. No. 836,254 8 Claims. (Cl. 189-2) This invention relates to building structures, particularly shelters and improved features of structural framing directed to the provision of access openings therein.

Recent efforts to achieve low-cost construction for accessory buildings, storage enclosures, shelters, and like structures, have given rise to the unique concept of the geodesic dome which embodies a spatial framework of interconnected strut members formulated according to a mathematical network of polygons characterized by remarkable load-carrying and selfreinforcing qualities. The basic features of this development are typified in the structures taught in United States Patent No. 2,682,235, issued June 29, 1954, to Richard Buckminster Fuller.

Basically, such geodesic domes are formulated according to the mathematical principles of a sphere, and more generally a hemisphere, and consequently they are characteristically roomy, strong, efficient to construct, and readily adapted to the employment of lightweight materials without sacrificing strength and structural dependability. These domes are particularly distinguished by their self-supporting'frame which obviates the necessity of supports extraneous of the skeletal framework employed in defining their generally polyhedron or domelike shape. Additionally, suitable lightweight covering materials, like plastic and similar flexible and semi-rigid film or sheet materials, readily lend themselves to enclosing the supporting framework of the dome. While the economic desirability of such geodesic dome structures is generally accepted, certain drawbacks and problems have marred their use.

Among the more serious problems encountered is that of conveniently and economically providing access openings through the Walls of the dome structure. Since there are no internal support members for the dome the strut or frame members of the skeletal framework in and of themselves constitute the entire load-carrying means with the various stresses and strains being distributed throughout the building framework. It will be appreciated therefore that disrupting the general pattern of triangulation upon which the self-containing load-supporting aspects of the dome structure depend, presents a matter of some concern. While the load-distributing factors in themselves may not be sufiicient to eliminate access openings, the problem is further complicated by the desire for flexibility, both as to size and location of such openings. This is especially true when geodesic dome principles are adapted to temporary housing and shelters of portable and collapsible nature wherein the size requirements of the openings may vary widely according to a particular use of the shelter structure. If, for example, a shelter of this nature were used to house personnel, a normal size doorway or opening would be adequate. However, if the same shelter were utilized for housing a vehicle, such as a truck or airplane, then quite obviously an opening of larger than normal dimension would be required. Additionally, placement of one or more access openings at various locations in the building is desirable, especially if several shelter structures are to be united by interconnecting passageways. This desirable feature is not easily accomplished, however, according to structural techniques presently practiced.

It is to these problems, and particularly to the provision of an adequate and convenient frame structure, readily adaptable for use in providing access openings in the normally uniform pattern of a geodesic domes supporting frame, that the present invention is directed.

In brief, this invention contemplates collapsible or folding strut means for use in the normally precise and regular pattern of a polygonal supporting framework according to generally accepted principles of geodesic dome construction. Such strut means are capable of variation to alter the supporting frame network from a regular polygonal pattern to an irregular one in furnishing openings or spacings between selected adjacent strut members of the frame pattern. More particularly, this invention contemplates folding strut means capable of being embodied in a discrete truss unit used to form a regular pattern for a geodesic dome framework; such strut means acting much as any other linear strut of the supporting framework, but capable of being collapsed, extended, and rigidified to present angularly offset portions which cooperate with like portions of an adjacent similar strut means to define a suitable access or doorway opening.

The main object of this invention is to provide a new and improved domelike shelter structure.

Another object of this invention is to provide a structure as aforesaid which embodies improved supporting frame means definitive of access openings through its walls.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved framework assembly for a domelike shelter structure embodying features for readily providing doorways and access openings at selected areas of the shelter walls.

An added object of this invention is to provide a shelter framework comprising a plurality of discrete, independent polygonal units having opposing frame members which, when joined with a plurality of like discrete units, form a readily collapsible and erectible do-melike framework for a shelter, distinguished by means for providing selectively positioned doorways and access openings.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a discrete polygonal unit for a shelter frame as aforesaid which includes flexible and extensible strut means adapted to alter the regular polygonal pattern of a shelter framework formed by interjoining a plurality of such discrete units.

The above and further objects, features, and advantages of this invention will appear to those familiar with the art from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof shown in the accompanying drawings which disclose an exemplary embodiment of this invention.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevation of a domelike supporing network or shelter frame embodying the features of this invention and illustrating by dotted lines an alternate position for certain members of the framework when providing a doorway therein;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged, partial, broken-away view of a portion of the framework seen in FIGURE 1, illustrating particular frame members therein used for formulating the access openings according to this invention;

FIGURE 3 is another partial elevational view, similar to FIGURE 2, showing the members of the framework therein organized and extended to define a doorway or access opening;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged top plan view showing the articulate interconnection between adjacent discrete framework members and illustrating structural details of the fiexible strut members thereof; and

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially on line 5-5 of FIGURE 4 looking in the direction of the arrows thereon to demonstrate the means employed for holding the flexible strut members in a preferred doorway-defining position.

According to the present invention, a novel dome framework, indicated generally by numeral 10 in FIG- URE 1, comprises a plurality of discrete polygonal frame units or trusses, such as the sidewall and roof trusses and 20a, respectively, prefabricated of a size, shape, and construction so that relatively few of them, when properly interjoined, are required to form a substantially hemispherical shelter frame. While each discrete frame unit may be made in the form of a fiat equilateral pentagon or other regular polygon, a pyramidal structure is preferred as shown, having a base in the shape of a regular polygon and a central apex offset in coaxial spaced relationship to that base. This relation may best be understood by examining FIGURE 1 wherein the domelike structure is illustrated composed of a plurality of discrete frame units, preferably prefabricated of tubular aluminum or other light metal struts interconnected to form a truss; each comprising five peripheral strut members 21, 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d, defining a flat equilateral base pentagon, the five vertices of which are interjoined with radial struts 22, 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, extending spokelike from a central apex connector 23 of the truss.

In order to facilitate handling and transportation of the novel shelter and the several discrete truss components thereof, particularly important where a temporary shelter is desirable, the prefabricated units 20 and 20a are each constructed to be collapsed into compact, readily portable bundles, capable of being handled by an individual. To this end each truss unit 20 comprises the hub or apex connector 23, cast or otherwise formed for articulate pivotal attachment with the inner ends of the several radial strut members 22-22d. The outer or swingable end of each radial strut in turn carries one or more metal plates 26, rigidly afiixed transversely thereto as by bolts 27 (see FIGURE 2); such plates 26 being disposed equidistant from the apex of the truss unit and extending outwardly of opposite sides of their respectively related radial struts. These plates provide means for connecting the radial struts with the peripheral struts 21-2 1d. More particularly, as shown in FIGURE 4, one outer end of each plate 26 receives a pivot pin or bolt 28 therethrough for connection with an adjacent end of a related peripheral strut 21. The other or opposite end of plate 26 is similarly equipped, but with a slotted opening 29 receptive of 'a second pivot pin comprising, in the case illustrated, a bolt fixed to and extending outwardly from a second peripheral strut 21a, and equipped with a manually engageable wing nut, as indicated generally at 30. This nut-and-bolt connector means 30 is received by the slotted curvilinear opening 29 in plate 26 so that strut 21a is thereby removably attachable to the plate 26. With this arrangement it is intended that each peripheral strut be pivotally connected to and associated with a related radial strut 22 as by a pivot pin 28, while the opposite end thereof is removably or disconnectably associated by connector means 30, with a second radial strut. Thus, by detaching one end of each peripheral strut from the slotted aperture 29 and swinging such dissociated end thereof about its opposite pinned end, as defined by pivotal connector 28, the several peripheral struts eventually may be folded adjacent a related radial strut. The radial struts, in turn, are pivot- I ally attached to and folded about the central apex member 23, with the entire arrangement thus affording a selectively collapsible truss structure. While this collapsible or folding nature of the truss structures, as described, is preferable, such is not essential to the success of the present invention. In fact, it is fully contemplated that each peripheral strut 2121d may be fixed at both ends to and between the outer ends of the several radial struts 22-22d;- thereby providing a noncollasping or fixed truss structure, rigid except for certain features as will appear hereafter.

In any event, with a series of pentagonal truss units as above described and shown, a knockdown or collapsible domelike shelter frame of the order illustrated in FIGURE 1 may be achieved conveniently. To this end, and particularly for reasons of ease of assembly, it is further contemplated that the several truss units 2ll-2ild be articulately interconected, as by suitable connector assemblies 35, disposed between adjacent vertices of adjacent discrete truss units. The several coupling assemblies 35 provide for quick connection and disconnection between opposing vertices of adjacent truss units, as shown; each preferably comprising a pair of complementary coupling members or connector portions 36 and 37, as seen best in FIGURE 4. Portions 36 and 37 are identical, substantially U-shaped yokes adapted each to fit over and embrace an end portion of an associated radial strut to which they are pivotally attached. As shown in FIGURE 4, for instance, portions 36 and 37 respectively embrace opposing end portions of radial struts 22a and 220 of adjacent truss units 20. While member 36 is pivotally joined to the outer end of radial strut 22a, as by a bolt means 38, member 37 is similarly joined to struct 220 by bolt 39; the two bolts defining mutually transverse pivotal axes for their related members 36 and 37.

The coupling member 37 as illustrated may be forged or otherwise formed to provide a pair of parallel arms or flanges 40, 40 between which the end portion 41, related to radial strut member 22;, is received; flanges 40, 40 being spaced apart and having suitable apertures for the passage of the pivotal bolt means 39. The flange members 40, 40 further are interconnected by a transverse wall 42 at one end thereof, which supports an intermediate bracket member 45. Bracket member 45 is U-shaped and has spaced wall portions 46, 46 and a transversely related base wall portion 47, the latter being welded or otherwise rigidly affixed to the base wall 42 of the coupler member 37; the planes of the wall portions 46 being substantially at right angles to the planes of the wall portions 40, 40. Wall portions 46, 46 receive a substantially cylindrical grooved coupling member 50 therebetween; such being rotatably mounted on an axle member 57. Axle 57 passes through and is connected transversely to base wall 52 of coupling member 36 by nut means 53.

In order to secure the coupling member 50 to bracket 45, a pin 54 extends transversely between walls 46 of the former, for interfering reception in the groove of the coupling member 50. A similar removable coupling pin 56, equipped with a finger-engaging pull ring, also interferingly'passes through the groove of member 50 and between the spaced flange walls of the intermediate coupling member 45; such, however, being disposed on the opposite side of member 50 from pin 51. In this manner the coupling member 45 is removably joined to the end coupling member 37, and thus the latter is connected to its complementing coupling member 36. While this articulate connector or coupling means is satisfactory, other types of interconnecting assemblies may be employed for this purpose as well, so long as they provide substantially free pivotal movement for the truss units associated thereby. For example, the pin means 38, 39 and the axle 57 of the intermediate coupling member means define three primary movement axes for the trusses joined thereby as desired.

Preferably, as shown in FIGURE 1, articulate coupling assemblies 35 are utilized to. interjoin the vertices of each of the sidewall truss units 20 to each other and to the roof truss unit 20a. With this arrangement erection of the skeletal framework may take place quickly and efiiciently by first assembling the several truss units and thereafter interjoining such units, instead of constructing the complete skeletal framework strut-by-strut, according to present practice. Once the trusses are so assembled '4 and interjoined, a skeletal frame of FIGURE 1 is achieved. If desired, the several ground-engaging peripheral struts 21 may be anchored in position by hold down bails 58. Cables 59 may also be employed between struts 21 to further rigidify the structure.

In order to provide suitable access openings or doorways at selected positions about the periphery or in the sidewalls of the shelter framework according to this invention, each truss unit 20 is preferably provided with at least'one peripheral strut 20a which is capable of being broken intermediate its ends and pivotally articulated to a position wherein end positions thereof assume intersecting angular relationship to frame the desired door opening, as will now be described.

To better understand this feature of my present invention, reference should be made to FIGURES 2 and 3 of the drawing wherein alternate positions for adjacent broken strut members 21a of two sidewall adjacent truss units 26, 20 are illustrated.

As shown, in assembling the several trusses 20, struts 21a of adjacent units are preferably disposed opposite one another. In some circumstances use of the substantially triangular area 60 bounded by and between the thusly opposed peripheral struts 21a may be sufficient for access or doorway purposes for the shelter. However, in certain other instances of operation it is fully contemplated that an enlarged opening area such as the augmented area 60 (as illustrated in FIGURE 3) will be required. To this latter end the adjacent broken strut members 21a may be moved from their FIGURE 2 to their FIGURE 3 position to provide a substantially trapezoidal shape door frame.

As will be understood from examinging FIGURES 2 and 3, each of the broken strut members 21a comprises a first end portion 61 which is pivotally attached at one end, as by bolt means 28, to a plate 26 associated with a related radial strut member, as previously described. Portion 61 is complemented by a second end portion 62, also pivotally joined at its one end to plate 26, as by the movable wing-bolt connector means 30, associated with the next radial strut means (22a or 220 as seen in FIG- URE 2). A U-shaped sleeve 63 bridges the adjacent opposed end portions of the two strut portions 61 and 62, and is affixed to each of said portions by a plurality of holding-bolt members 64 and 65. In this latter respect it will be recognized from FIGURE 4 in particular that the longer end portion 61 of the broken strut 21a is adapted to receive three bolt members 64 therethrough while the shorter end portion 62 receives only two bolt members 65 as illustrated; the exact number of such bolts being immaterial to the intent and purpose of this invention and therefore subject to variation as required. With this arrangement, removal of the bolts 64 disconnects end portion 61 from the sleeve member 63. Thereupon end portion 62 may be moved arcuately upwardly toward and into a position of near parallelism with the radial strut member 22a or 220, as the case may be in FIGURES 3 and 4. By thereafter replacing a bolt 64 through a selected aperture of the elongated strut portion 61 and the connector sleeve 63, a rigidifying connection between the portions 61 and 62 of the broken strut member may be achieved; placing the latter in a position of intersecting angularity with respect to one another.

It will be understood that with the angular disposition of strut end portions 61 and 62 a simultaneous elongation of the related strut means 21a takes place, the degree of angularity being determined by the openings of strut portion 61 and sleeve 63 selected for pivotal interconnection of these members. An extreme position of interconnection producing an extreme angular relationship between end portions 61 and 62 is illustrated in FIG- URE 3 of the drawings to provide the maximum entry areaway 1 of that figure. A minimal or normal entry areaway 66 of FIGURE 2 is, by contrast, achieved when the end portions 61 and 62 are held in axial alignment as illustrated. Intermediate access areas may be readily achieved by intermediate angular positions for portions 61 and 62.

To rigidify the strut 21a in its condition of extreme angularity of FIGURE 3, a holding bracket 76 is provided on the related radial struts 22a, 22c. Holding bracket 70 comprises a substantially U-shaped member mounted intermediate the ends of the related radial strut member 22a or 22c, said holding bracket 75 having a back wall 71 and two parallel spaced sidewalls 72, '72 projecting substantially transversely from such back wall (see FIGURE 5). A pair of angularly offset flange wall members 73 extend from the sidewalls '72, 72 to which they are attached as by weld means 74. The ofiset formation of the wall members 73 accommodates the offset relationship of the radial struts 220 or 220 which is created by the pyramidal formation of their related truss units so that the connector sleeve 63 and related end portion 62 therein may be received between the projecting wall portions 73, 73. The holding bracket 76 is mounted for sliding movement along the radial strut 22a or 22c, by provision of an inwardly projecting lip Wall 75 (seen best in FIGURE 5) extending inwardly fromthe interior face 76- of one of the projecting wall members 73. This feature holds the bracket 70 securely to the related radial strut. This arrangement, while relatively simple, assures a reliable sliding connection of the bracket 70 so that it may be slidingly positioned along the length of the appropriate strut 22a or 220 for alignment with one of several sets of openings 77 provided in the intermediate connector portion or sleeve 63. A suitable holding bolt such as one of the bolts 64 may be employed, as illustrated particularly in FIGURE 5, to securely join the bracket 76 to the portion 63 of the broken strut member, thereby securing the latter in its extreme position adjacent the radial strut 220, as shown.

From the foregoing one will readily recognize that the selective positioning of the strut portions 61 and 62 in desired positions of intersecting angularity, readily achieves enlargement of the normal triangular areaway 60, to provide an increased access opening 60 as desired. It will be further understood that the framework for the increased areaway 60" normally requires the cooperation of two of the broken or breakable strut members 22a, these being related to adjacently disposed truss units as illustrated. By such cooperation a symmetrical opening is achieved although it is possible to increase the doorway or access areaway by selectively breaking, elongating, and reassembling the end portions 66, 61 of a single strut member 21a, if a nonsymmetrical opening is desired.

It further will be understood and appreciated that to achieve the aforementioned object of this invention, each truss unit 20 is preferably equipped with one or more of the broken peripheral strut members 21a. For example, in addition to the strut members 21a (illustrated in FIGURE 1) each truss unit 29 might include additional broken strut members in place of the strut member 21d, illustrated in the drawings. With this arrangement, and the selective positioning of broken strut members 21a of adjacent truss units opposite to one another, it is conveniently possible to provide access openings or doorways at one or more selected zones around the periphery of the framework 16', each of which is characterized by an inherent flexibility permitting a larger or smaller framework opening as required.

In view of the foregoing descriptive material those familiar with the art will readily recognize and appreciate the novel features and advantages of this invention, which mark the same as an advancement over the prior art, and will readily understand that numerous changes, modifications and substitutions of equivalents may be made in the particular embodiment illustrated and described without necessarily departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. As a consequence it is not intended that the present invention be limited by the foregoing description and the accompanying illustrated embodiment thereof, except as may appear in the following appended claims.

I claim:

1. A structural unit for use with other such units in forming a shelter frame, comprising a plurality of linear radial strut means commonly joined at one end, linear peripheral strut means extending between and pivotally connected to the other ends of said radial strut means to define a polygonal base periphery for the unit, the said radial and peripheral strut mean forming a regular polyhedron, means on at least one of said strut means for breaking the same intermediate its ends to provide two linear portions including means extending one of said portions, and means interlocking the other linear portion and extending means in selected angular intersecting positions.

2. A discrete structural unit for a shelter frame comprising, a hub means, plural radial struts pivotally anchored at one end to said hub means, plural peripheral struts extending between and divergently separating the other ends of said radial struts, means pivotally joining one end of each peripheral strut to the said other end of a radial strut, additional means detachably and pivotally connecting the other end of each peripheral strut to the said other end of the next adjacent radial strut, means for breaking at least one of said struts intermediate its ends to define two linear end portion therefrom, means extending the effective length of one of said end portions and means for locking the other of said end portions to and at selected positions along the length of said extending means to thereby dispose said two end portions in selected angularly intersecting positions.

3. A shelter framework comprising a plurality of linear strut members pivotally interconnected end-to-end in a pattern defining a plurality of separated triangular areas lying in a generally semispherical surface, means on at least two of said members located on opposite sides of one of said triangular areas whereby each may be broken in two intermediate its ends to provide separate end portions each of which is pivotally movable about its one end for intersecting alignment with the other end portion, and locking means for holding said end portions in a plurality of selected intersecting positions to define a polygonal frame of selectively variable size for an access opening in said shelter framework.

4. The combination as set forth in claim 3 wherein said end portions of each of said two strut members are normally telescopically nested in coaxial relationship, and said locking means also serves to hold the same in coaxial alignment to define a rigid linear strut member.

5. A structural unit for use with other such units in forming a shelter frame, comprising a plurality of rigid linear divergent radial strut means commonly joined at one end, rigid linear peripheral strut means extending each between and pivotally joined at its opposite ends to the other ends of two of said radial strut means to define a polygonal periphery for the unit, means on at least one of said peripheral strut means for breaking the same into two linear portions, means extending the effective length of one of said portions, and means for interlocking the other said portions with said extending means whereby said portions may be pivoted about their respective connections with said radial strut means and locked in a plurality of selected angularly intersecting positions.

6. A shelter frame comprising, a plurality of discrete structural units as set forth in claim 5, and means for interjoining such units at adjacent opposed vertices of their polygonal bases to form a generally domelike frame in which at least two adjacently opposed peripheral strut means thereof have said means for breaking, extending and interlocking the portions thereof to frame an enlarged areaway therebetween definitive of an access opening in the shelter frame.

7. A structural unit for use with other such units in forming a shelter frame, comprising a plurality of equal length radial strut means commonly interconnected at their inner ends, a plurality of equal length peripheral strut means disposed between and pivotally connected to the outer ends of said radial strut means to hold the same in divergent relation, each peripheral strut means being pivotally connected at its ends to the outer ends of two of said radial strut means with said peripheral strut. means defining a polygonal periphery for the unit, at least one of said peripheral strut means comprising two linear sections, means rigidly interconnecting said two linear sections in coaxial alignment and selectively operable for disconnecting said linear sections, means on one of said linear sections for ext riding the length thereof, and means for interlocking the other of said sections to said extending means and at selected locations along the length of the latter whereby to hold said two linear sections in plural angularly intersecting positions.

8. A structural unit for use in a shelter frame, comprising a hub, plural radial struts extending from said hub, plural peripheral struts extending end-to-end between and connected to the outer ends of said radial struts to form a polygonal base for the unit, each of said peripheral struts being connected to two of said radial struts with such connections associated with at lease one of said peripheral struts being pivotal, said one peripheral strut comprising a pair of linear sections normally aligned coaxially with opposing ends thereof in near abutting relationship, extension means connected to one of said sections and extending therefrom to overlap the other of said sections, connective means detachably interconnecting said extension means and said other section at selected location along the length of the extension means whereby to lock said two linear sections selectively in coaxial alignment and in selected positions of intersecting angularity.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,167,557 Stout July 25, 1939 2,510,593 Mechling June 6, 1950 2,555,220 Brown May 29, 1951 2,682,235 Fuller June 29, 1954 2,723,673 Call Nov. 15, 1955 

